Do you know your conventions? by Bobby Wolff

A: 2♠: The two most popular conventions to show two-suiters after the opponents open the bidding are the Unusual No-trump and the Michaels cue-bid. Had East opened one club, a jump to two no-trump would show the red suits. After a one-spade opening, a cue-bid of two spades shows this hand, which is at the minimum end of the range for what partner might expect -- especially if you are vulnerable.

Your result so far:

A: 2♦: You are faced with a set of ugly alternatives. A panel might vote for all the four minimum actions in clubs, diamonds, hearts and no-trump. The diamond honors persuade me to repeat the suit, even though it technically shows six. But I can easily see how bids in any of the other suits might work. A call of one no-trump, however, does not thrill me!


Your result so far:

A: 2NT: As a passed hand, your options are to redouble to show a maximum pass, then bid diamonds on your next turn, or to raise diamonds directly by an artificial call of two no-trump (a convention often referred to as Jordan). This shows a limit raise, and seems appropriate on values. Were my spades and diamonds switched, I might simply respond one spade, or else start with the redouble.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠: This is a hand where your values, such as they are, appear to be working overtime. You don't have a lot, but I think you have just enough to bid three spades. It may be a slight stretch, I admit, but it feels right to get into the auction while you have the chance.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: It is a good idea to have a simple agreement: Every pass of a redouble sitting over the trumps is an attempt to play there. One possible exception is a pass of a support double, but I believe in all auctions of the sort shown here, where partner had a chance to make a cheap call and did not do so, then he wants to defend. So pass, and see which player at this table has lost his or her mind.

Your result so far: